When I was a kid, sick days were the best. A sniffle here, an upset stomach there — it didn’t matter. I milked those days for all they were worth. There was nothing quite like getting cozy on the couch and watching Wheel of Fortune and recorded VHS movies all day. My mom would bring me toast and soup and I would spend the day basking in my glory… errrr, I mean nursing my fever.
But my, how the tables have turned. Of course when my kids are sick I do exactly what my mom did for me. I get them snuggled in on the couch and the day is filled with Netflix. But what happens when mom gets sick?
Well, I can tell you — absolutely nothing! Why?
Because moms don’t get sick days.
There is no office to call out of, no meetings to reschedule. The responsibility of those little monsters kids you created is knocking on your door — literally. There is no coddling or hours spent on the couch. In fact, all the day-to-day tasks still need to get done and, unfortunately, there is no such thing as a substitute mom.
Have you ever had to make dinner less than an hour after throwing up due to a stomach bug?
Yes? You must be a mom.
Have you ever been so sick and achy that every inch of your body hurts, but you still managed to get everyone ready, load up the car, and do school drop off?
Yes? You must be a mom.
Have you ever been so congested and had an aggressive fever, but you still managed to take care of your kids who are also sick?
Yes? You must be a mom.
Have you ever had a throat so sore you could barely swallow, and simply breathing caused pain, but you still managed to sing your kids their favorite bedtime song?
Yes? You must be a mom.
Have you ever been so exhausted and 100% sure you have the flu (despite getting a flu shot) but still managed to entertain your kids all day?
Yes? You must be a mom.
We’ve all been there, and while it’s miserable, just remember that this day, too, shall pass.
